Cheap Car Insurance Company in Houston
Reader’s Question:
This car insurance agent called up my home number offering some pretty unbelievably cheap car insurance Houston rates. I expressed interest, but I suspect it’s a scam. What do I do?
Jackson
Houston, TX
Indeed, the agent from that particular company offering cheap car insurance Houston rates is, indeed, suspicious. But don’t call the police just yet. Here are some ways to protect yourself and verify if the agent is legit or not:
• Don’t give information – don’t give out bank accounts or credit card numbers over the phone or on the internet, whether you think the agent’s suspicious or not, not until everything checks out with the agent.
• Check with the Texas Department of Insurance – if a company’s licensed with the TDI, it’s a safe bet that they’re legit. Do not ever, ever sign up with an insurance company that’s not licensed in the TDI. Also, be very careful when it comes to the exact name of a company: “Insurance Company X, Inc.” is a different corporate entity than “Insurance Company X.”
• Check with the insurance company – even if the company is licensed with the TDI, the ‘agent’ that’s calling you may be bogus. Get the full name of the agent, get the contact details of the company from the TDI and give them a call or send them an e-mail.
True, it’s not good to pass up on a good deal, but it’s even worse to fall prey to fraudulent insurance or scams. These three steps by themselves won’t do much apparent good, but they’re the baby steps for you to protect yourself from harm. Use them well.
Does Out Of State Ticket Affect Car Insurance Rates Houston Texas
Reader’s Question:
I recently got a speeding ticket in Chicago but I live in Houston Texas. Will this affect my car insurance rate in Texas?
Frank
Houston Texas
Texas and Illinois are both members of the Drivers License 
Compact, that means your speeding violation in Chicago will be reported back to your home state in Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety states that they will place out of state violations on your Texas driving record.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, car insurance rates offered in TX needs to be reasonable, adequate, not excessive to the risks for which they apply, and not unfairly discriminatory. Texas car insurance carriers set their own rating system and then file them with TDI to check.
The speeding violation you received in Chicago will be put on your Texas driving record thus your insurance carrier will see it the next time they check your Motor Vehicle Record. If you want to know if the speeding ticket will affect your Texas Car insurance rates you can speak with your car insurance agent about their rating system.
Cheap Car Insurance In Houston
Reader’s Question:
I’ve been shopping for car insurance in Houston and I can’t help but notice that most car insurance policies here are more expensive than anywhere in Texas. Is that safe to assume?
Tracy
Houston, TX
For the most part, car insurance in Houston is more expensive anywhere in Texas. The number of car accidents has risen in this part of Texas for the past several years, and this has led to many car insurers to jack up their prices to cover the rise of insured car accidents.
But the good news is that you can still get cheap car insurance in Houston despite the increase in the rates of car insurance policies. The key is to shop as hard as you can. You might not be spending enough time asking around and shopping for the best vehicle insurance policy. Go online and join Internet forums of car owners. Here you can pick up ideas and information on which car insurance company provides the cheapest Houston car insurance policies.
When applying for car insurance, make sure that your vehicle is secured. Install security devices in it such as alarm system, brake system, and immobilizers. You will maximize the chances of your car being rated as low risk, and consequently earning you a lower car insurance.
How To Get Cheap Car Insurance in Houston
Reader’s Question:
Is Houston a high traffic area? I want to know so that I could decide on my car insurance in Houston: whether to get collision or comprehensive, or both. I will be moving there soon.
Tamara
Houston, TX
Tamara, it really depends on where in Houston you would reside. Houston is a large city and has different demographic features within. What you might want to find out is where and when will you be using your car. For example, if you would live in a residential area and had to commute everyday using freeways, then it could give you clues on what type of additional coverage to get. Freeways, we know, have higher speed limits and high traffic densities at any given time of the day. You might want to get collision insurance to protect yourself, as well as personal injury protection, which is an option for Texas drivers. If you have reason to believe that your area in Houston has high auto theft rate and crime rate in general, by all means get comprehensive insurance, too. Check with a provider on this matter for all the coverage available to you in Houston.
Getting car insurance in Houston is really easy. When you first arrive to Houston, check with the Department of Motor Vehicles to register your car and to get a Texas license. The basic liability requirements are bodily injury and property damage liability of $20,000 per person per accident personal injury liability and maximum total of $40,000 and with property damage maximum of $15,000. By January 1, 2011 the coverage requirements will increase by almost half of what it is right now.
Auto Insurance Rates In Houston – How Much Will It Cost?
Reader’s Question:
How much does your auto insurance rate rise in Houston if you are at fault in an accident and the other driver claims injuries?
Sam
Houston, TX
There is no specific amount your auto insurance in Houston may increase but generally you might expect a 10% to 15% increase in your auto insurance rate premiums. Insurance providers are required to file their car insurance rates and rules with state regulatory bodies such as the Department of Insurance. In most situations, they impose a surcharge or charge ‘points’ to motorists who have been charged with an accident and/or who have made an insurance claim against their car insurance policy. So, there is no standard law that dictates that an insurance carrier can increase your car insurance rate premiums due to an accident. It’s just a matter of how the car insurance rates are filed and passed on to you as a result of an accident.
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